Kiwi Adventures - North Island
Trip Start
Apr 20, 2004
1
20
21
Trip End
Mar 30, 2005
Auckland,
New Zealand
Monday, February 14, 2005
After our two week stint on the south Island we headed back to the north island. After another few nights with Patsy and Phil we headed off on our adventures once more. I would like to thank Patsy and Phil and their family for making us
feel so welcome in their home.
Our first stop in the north island was a town called
"National Park" Yes I also have concerns about the
originality of some of the names in this country :).
Anyhow our reason for going to National Park was to
walk the 17KM Tongaririo crossing which is known as
New Zealands Premier day walk. Not a problem to us - we
thought. Roisin did some research in the hostel and
the guy selling our bus ticket said it was easy. One
of the reasons I wanted to go was because one of the
three volcanos there was the one used as Mount Doom in
Lord of the Rings
So, up bright and early the next morning we headed for
the walk. All around me I could see what I would
classify as serious walkers. They had their sticks and
boots, socks, energy bars and hats. At this point I thought
that either they where over prepared or someone was
fibbing about how hard the walk was. The bus driver
then turned around and said let me know what you think
of the devils staircase. My reaction to this was oh
bugger.
Anyhow off we set with the promise that we would be
picked up at the other side 7 hours later. The first bit of track
was easy to walk on but this quickly changed. We
quickly found ourselves climbing up some rocky
escarpments. I thought to myself that devils staircase
wasnt so bad. Then we saw what lay ahead. Yes the
devils staircase is actually a 800 Metre climb up the
side of a volcano. We where both knackered by the time
we got to the top an hour later. Our two litres of
water had also taken a serious hit and we still had
six more hours of this leisurely walk to go. Super.
Suffice to say we found the rest of the walk very
challenging and at the end of it I was able to sleep on
the floor of the bus shelter for thirty minutes.
Personally this was my favourite bit. Ok, to be honest
the scenery for the whole of the walk was stunning and
some day soon when I think I will appreciate the photos when I have a look at them!
Our next stop after National Park was the city of
Rotura. You may have heard of this place. The air is
filled by the smell of sulphur and there are
mineral/mudbaths galore. Yes we tried the mineral
pools I can asure you that it is quite hard to sit in
a pool of thermal water that is 43C for any length of
time. However it was a great experience and it is
supposedly really good for you.
The other activity that we tried was Zorbing. Check it out at
www.zorb.com. In short both of us where inserted
inside a big plastic ball with some water inside. You
are then rolled down a hill and challenged to remain
on your feet for as long as possible. I have to say I
lasted at least two seconds. Then I was upside down
then upright. After that I became so disorientated
that I dont knwo what bloody way up I was.
It was just so funny that we had to have another go
this time we went on the zig zag track individually
which was even more disorientating. I would recommend
it to anyone as it was a great laugh. It could even
work in Ireland!
The next stop in our northern exposure tour was the
town of whatatane. We stayed in a really nice hostel
there that was run by a maori guy, Hare and his wife, Pam. In the
evening they invited all those staying into the
meeting room in the house and then Hare
preceeded to do a question and answer session on maori
culture before getting everyone involved in a maori
sing song. He even attempted to teach us the Maori
alphabet. It was a really enjoyable evening.
The next day we headed off to New Zealands most acive
volcano called white island which is 50KM off the
coast of whakatane and last erupted in 2000. Well if I
thought the smell of Sulphur was bad in Rotura this
put me straight. There where sulphur vents all over
the place and the gas masks that we where given quickly
proved useful. The crater of the volcano is filled
with a huge lake which is the most incredible tourquoise
water which looked so inviting. That is until you learn
that it is at least 66C and with a PH of 11. I quickly
changed my mind about jumping in for a quick swim.
Our next stop was the Cormandel Peninusla. This is a
remote area of New Zealand that reminded me off
Donegal. We spent two days touring around here before
heading north past Auckland into the northlands.
The Northlands are right up at the top of the north
island and they too reminded me of scenry from
Ireland. We stayed in an amazing farm here run by an
Italian, Steffano and his wife, Lindsay. The guy was soccer mad and his
shed was decked out with jerseys from clubs all over
the world. He has also built a five a side soccer
pitch complete with floodlights where the guests play
against each other. He lays claim to holding the first
organised game of soccer in the world at 12:05AM every
new years day. So we played the obligatory game of
soccer the next morning at the more respectable time
of 10:30AM and where narrowly beaten by five goals to
four. I hadnt had so much fun in ages. We both wish we
could have stayed there for a week but alas we had to
leave to come to Auckland.
So as I sit in Auckland writing this it is my last
full day in New Zealand. I realise now that our trip
is coming to a close.
Fortunately starting tomorrow we have a week on beachcomber island in fiji as a holdiay before we leave for San Francisco. The island is fairly small, with no electricy, so no internet for the next week.
However we will be in touch again when we get to the US.
I look forward to seeing you all again soon.
Martin and Roisin
